To do really well, a team need a couple of players who add something extra. Slovenia goalkeeper Maja Vojnovič is certainly one of those players. Just 19 years old, she has already been called up by coach Uroš Bregar of the senior national team a few months ago.

“Wow, that was really something special. I didn't have the chance to stand between the posts, but just sitting there on the bench was already great,” Vojnovič looks back at the friendly game against Montenegro in March.

While joining the senior national team was a huge step in her young career, Vojnovič has not yet taken a similar step on club level.

Born and raised in Novo Mesto, she is still playing for hometown club ZRK Krka as her high school diploma was a priority. Slovenia’s biggest club, EHF Champions League participants RK Krim Mercator, have already shown interest but her education has been her priority so far.

“My father is a huge support, he strongly believes I can make it in handball. My mother on the other hand is more concerned, as mothers usually are,” Vojnovič says. “I finished chemistry high school and now I will study biochemistry in Ljubljana.”

Despite planning to study in the Slovenian capital, Vojnovič admits that handball is becoming increasingly important to her. She is eager even to go out of Slovenia, to make progress as a goalkeeper – though she could have easily played on a different position.

“As I was pretty tall, they wanted me to play as a left back in the early years. I must admit I enjoyed scoring goals as much as I enjoy preventing them now,” Vojnovič laughs. “Who knows where I would be now if they had insisted?”

Asked about her idol, there is only one answer for Vojnovič: Danish superstar Niklas Landin.

“He moves perfectly, he is very explosive and that is how I would love to be like,” she says.

Slovenia’s Under-19 coach Bojan Voglar is full of praise for the prodigy in his team.

“She could become a goalkeeper that Slovenia never had, one you could totally rely on in the crucial moments of the game, and I am sure she will shine on this tournament as well,” Voglar says.

Vojnovič is also looking forward with confidence to the W19 EHF EHRO.

“We worked really hard, twice a day, focusing on every detail and aspect of the game. We have fun together and we enjoy playing together,” she says. “Our first goal is to reach the second phase, but we will give our best to go as far as possible.”